What is the process of bonding between a parent and child called?

The process of bonding between a parent and child is known as attachment. This term refers to the emotional connection that develops between a caregiver and a child, characterized by a sense of security and trust. Attachment is crucial for a child's emotional development, providing the foundation for feelings of safety, which are essential for healthy growth and the formation of relationships later in life.

Engrossment, while similar, specifically describes a parent's intense fascination and preoccupation with their newborn, often occurring during the immediate postpartum period. Although nurturing and affection are important aspects of parenting, they do not specifically define the overall process of bonding in the same way that attachment does. Nurturing encompasses the broader range of behaviors that support a child's growth, while affection denotes feelings of warmth and love, which may exist in many types of relationships, not just between a parent and a child.